Fantasy Outlook: Week 8

The Rodgers vs Brees match-up this week should produce loads of fantasy points.

Whoa. I blacked out. What happened? It's Week 8 already? It feels like I didn't even write posts for Week 7! Oh wait...

Like Jon, I have also been inundated with ridiculous amounts of work at my ACTUAL job. A fun bout with the dreaded flu also took me out earlier this week. But that's behind us now like all my fantasy football opponents.

That's right, I'm still rolling strong at an undefeated mark of 7-0. Can't make this stuff up! I must be getting lucky this year or something. Or maybe the fantasy powers that be are smiling down on me now that I'm actually doing something I thoroughly enjoy. (I hope my boss isn't reading this...) It's highly unlikely otherwise that THIS is the year that my draft strategy was executed to perfection.

The Packers head to New Orleans this week to take on the Saints on Sunday night - a game that has "Fantasy Football Bonanza" written all over it. These two, high-powered offenses and middle-of-the-pack defenses should result in a high-scoring game both in reality and fantasy. Let's make some Packer fantasy predictions, shall we?

Aaron Rodgers will keep rolling. I 'm guessing we see 350 yards and four TDs on his stat line for Sunday. The Saints are ranked #28 against the pass so far this year. Easy one. On to the next position.

As for the run, look for the Saints to do more damage on the ground than the Packers. Even without starting running back Pierre Thomas, look for Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson to pick up the slack and find the end zone at least once between the two of them. Lacy will (hopefully) gain a majority of his fantasy points in the second half after the Packers have a nice lead. The Packers are #31 against the run, while the Saints are #11.

Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams will keep the trend going as they each will once again catch another touchdown. Nelson will probably have a second one as well. Despite his ability to distribute the ball, Rodgers has really been able to key in on these three receivers recently no matter what the defenses try to do. Look for them all to score double digits in fantasy this week.

As for the rest of the league, here are some of my players to start for this week.

Russell Wilson has been a fantasy beast over the last, few weeks. He has rushed for over 100 yards twice this season. He could very well score 30+ fantasy points again this week. Ryan Tannehill has looked hot lately. Look for him to continue against the Jaguars. Kyle Orton has bust back onto the fantasy scene by putting up an average of 297 yards per game. His matchup against the Jets this week is a juicy one.

Will DeMarco Murray have yet ANOTHER 100-yard game? Monday night at home against the Redskins? Chalk that up as a 'yes!' Jerick McKinnon has emerged as the featured back in Minnesota. A matchup against Tampa Bay this week gives him a great chance to rack up fantasy points. With Stevan Ridley out for the year, look for Shane Vereen to continue getting an increased number of carries against the Bears this week. He should be creeping into the Top 15 pretty soon!

Mike Wallace should piggyback on Tannehill's success against Jacksonville. He's been a touchdown machine lately, catching five scores in six games this season. With Percy Harvin now on the east coast, Doug Baldwin should be the main beneficiary on Russell Wilson's passes. His seven catches for 123 yards last week were all season highs. Sammy Watkins had a huge day against Minnesota last week. He should be able to feast on the Jets secondary.

The Seattle Seahawks are #30 in the league against tight ends this year. Look for Greg Olsen to exploit his matchups on Sunday. Back from his injury, Jordan Reed should be able to put up decent numbers against a Dallas defense that allows an average of 12+ fantasy points to tight ends. Will all depend on the quarterback play, however.

As for D/STs, the Dolphins, Vikings, Bills, Texans and Cowboys all have favorable matchups.